Award-winning television creator and writer Mara Brock Akil recently paid tribute to legendary actress, choreographer, and director Debbie Allen, crediting her with inspiring her path into screenwriting.
The heartfelt moment was captured in a short video posted by Strong Black Lead, Netflix’s platform celebrating Black storytelling and creators.
In the video, Akil reflects on her teenage years, recounting how a love of writing initially led her to consider journalism. That trajectory shifted, however, after watching A Different World—a show that Allen famously elevated as director and executive producer.
“There was a point in high school you have to start thinking about your future. And the thing I loved to do the most was write,” Akil said. “But the only career I could think of was to be a journalist… and then it was when you see A Different World. Debbie Allen took A Different World to a new height.”
Akil credits the show’s storytelling and cultural relevance with expanding her creative vision.
“She allowed us to see the world. I couldn’t wait to get to college,” Akil continued. “Because of that show… I started to consider being a screenwriter. I picked up a book, learned some technique. I wrote my first script… and I fell in love with screenwriting.”
The Emmy-nominated creator—best known for iconic shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane—is now celebrating her latest release, Forever, a Netflix original based on Judy Blume’s classic coming-of-age novel.
The American teen drama series marks another milestone in Akil’s mission to tell deeply personal, relatable stories centering young women.
“It was because I could see myself. I could see stories. I could start to imagine stories I could tell from the inspiration of A Different World. My new show, Forever, is now on Netflix,” she concluded.
Akil’s recognition of Allen demonstrates the enduring impact of Black women in television—both behind and in front of the camera.
